Philippines Department of Agriculture seeks PHP 300M for ube expansion

The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) is requesting PHP 300 million in government funding to expand commercial ube (purple yam) production. The initiative aims to at least double current output levels to meet rising international demand.

The program targets the addition of 1,000 hectares of cultivation during the November 2026 harvest and propagation cycle. The DA has allocated approximately PHP 850,000 per hectare to cover farm development, support facilities, and production costs, including labor and maintenance.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that the government intends to develop the ube industry systematically to avoid the supply chain disruptions that previously affected other high-value agricultural exports during periods of rapid demand increases. The program has identified ten specific ube varieties for large-scale production. Undersecretary Philip C. Young noted that the expansion is part of a broader effort to establish reliable supply chains for export-ready commodities and expand overseas markets for Philippine agricultural products.